The Holy Scripture - english version B.indd - Sabbat

Paul's Foreview of Romanism.339you ! " What blasphemous exaltation is here ! Have not Paul'swords been fulfilled? Has not this man of sin, sitting in the temple of God,shown himself that he is God, or allowed himself to be treated as Divine, no,even claimed to be so treated? He allowed himself to be styled " the Lamb ofGod, which takes away the sin of the world," because he gave and soldindulgences for sin. He was even more merciful than Christ ; for He leftsouls in purgatory, and the pope took them out ! He could commandeven the angels of heaven, and add saints to the celestial choir, raisingdead men to form part of heaven's hierarchy as " saints," and causing themhencefoth to be worshipped by the Church on earth.In all this the pope was as god upon earth. It was his tospeak and govern as God ; it was the world's to bow down, to believe, and to obey.See him in his robes of more than kingly royalty, with his crown of morethan terrestrial dominion - not one, but three, three in one, a triple crown.The proud tiara of the papacy symbolizes power on earth, inheaven, and in hell ; in all three the pope claims to rule. He is far above allkings. He is the vicegerent of God, the regent of the universe! He never risesfrom his pontifical throne to any person whomsoever, nor uncovers himselfbefore mortal man. He does not even condescend to honor any human being bythe least inclination of his head. His nuncios and legates take precedence of theambassadors of all crowned heads. Cardinals, the chief princes of the Church,adore his holiness upon their bended knees, kissing his right hand, and evenhis feet ! At his coronation they set him on the high altar of St. Peter's, and dorehim as the representative of Deity. He is carried in and lofty state on men'sshoulders, beneath a canopy hung with fringe of gold. People, prelates, princes,and cardinals exalt and worship him with the most solemn ceremonies. He ishead of the universal church, arbiter of its rights and privileges. Hewears the keys, as the sign of his power to open the gates of heaven toall believers. He holds two swords, as judging in things temporal and spiritual. Heis " the sole and supreme judge of men, and can himself be judged of NO man."He is the husband of the Church, and as such wears a ring, indicating her perpetualbetrothal to himself. Thousands upon thousands kneel before him ; they struggleto get near his person ; they stretch forth their hands to obtain his indulgences,and crave his quasi-Divine benediction, that " smoke of smoke," asLuther called it. The deluded multitude rend the air with acclamations at hisapproach. In his processions all is gorgeous magnificence. Swiss guards and otherattendants form his cortège, in scarlet cloaks, embroidered with gold, with silvermaces and rich caparisons, silk housings, red velvets, purples, satins laced withgold, long flowing robes sweeping the ground, some crimson, some black, somewhite, and caps adorned with precious stones, and helmets glittering in the sun.His litter is lined with scarlet velvet, fringed with gold, and he himself is clothedin a white satin cassock, with rochet, stole, and mozette, all of red velvet if it iswinter, or of red satin if it is summer. At his adoration by the canons and clergy ofSt. Peter's he is clothed in a white garment and seated on a throne, and thus attiredhe " presides in the temple of the Lord. [Editor: Lord = YAHWEH; but thetemple YAHWEH's is, said the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 3,16: " Know you